‘Volvo’s most successful car salesman’ convicted of attack on ex-partner

"A car salesman named as ‘Volvo’s most successful’ in 2018 has been convicted of attacking his ex-partner after she confronted him over a text from another woman.

Robert Pinto, of Star Lane, Stamford, was fined £1,000 and issued with a restraining order during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court this week.

The court heard how Pinto – also a champion eater who featured in the Guinness Book of World Records – reacted angrily after Michelle Lambell grabbed his phone during a reunion at the Great Northern Hotel, in Kings Cross, on February 2.

Lambell told officers how she had cried out "Help me, help me!" as the incident spilled out into the hotel’s corridor.

He was only stopped when a member of hotel staff intervened.

Pinto later admitted one count of assault by beating.

The court was told Pinto was convicted of supplying cocaine in 2010 but has since turned his life around

Joseph McKenna, defending, described Pinto as having been “decorated as the most successful salesman for Volvo for 2018 for the entire country", before describing him as “a hard-working individual” who made up 62% of all car sales at the dealership he worked at last year.

The salesman now also acts as a live-in carer for his mother who has terminal cancer.

McKenna added that the incident was “a one-off” and had been “out of character”.

Judge Richard Blake ordered Pinto to pay a £1,000 fine and handed him a three-year restraining order which prevents him from contact with the victim.

He was also handed a one-year community order, 20 days of rehabilitation and costs of £170.

Lincolnshirelive.co.uk reported that Pinto hit the headlines in 2012 for scoffing a gut-busting 6,000 calorie breakfast in 26 minutes at the Jesters Diner in Great Yarmouth.

He also holds the Guinness World Record for demolishing another big breakfast at Bolton’s Mario's Cafe, in just eight minutes and 46 seconds in November 2011.